Older Caregivers With HIV: An Unrecognized Gap in the Literature

Abstract

Although the number of older people living with HIV (PLWH) is growing, prior research has focused on older PLWH as care recipients and psychosocial factors (e.g., stigma, social support) associated with their HIV care. Literature on HIV caregiving mainly focuses on family members providing care to PLWH or children of parents with HIV. There is a gap in the literature in terms of older PLWH's roles as caregivers to their family members. Thanks to combination antiretrovirals that help PLWH live longer and have healthier lives, many older PLWH now find themselves in a position to provide care to family members. To help older PLWH age successfully, it is important to understand their role as caregivers while they juggle responsibilities with their own health care needs. This article elucidates this gap in the literature on older PLWH who are caregivers and provides direction for a research agenda and potential clinical implications.